The city of Charlotte has given police expanded powers while patrolling Bank of America's stockholder meeting on Wednesday.

City Manager Ron Carlee on Monday declared the meeting an "extraordinary event," invoking special rules for protesters and expanded powers for law enforcement. The move was made in anticipation of larger-than-normal crowds at the meeting Wednesday morning at the Marriott hotel at the corner of Trade and Tryon street uptown.

According to the city, an extraordinary event is defined as a "large scale event of national or international significance and/or an event expected to attract a significant number of people to a certain portion of the city."

Law enforcement is given broader powers during such events to search backpacks, coolers, satchels and messenger bags. The ordinance also details a list of items that are grounds for arrest. Among them: spray paint, permanent markers, hammers, crowbars, box cutters, utility knives, chains, padlocks, lumber, plastic pipe, pepper spray, mace and police scanners.

"The ordinance allows law enforcement to identify risks or individuals intent on doing harm at a large scale event of national or international significance," the city said in a statement today. "The ordinance does not affect the normal way of life for our citizens who are going about their daily activities. The Extraordinary Event allows the City to modify its permitting process for activities such as parades and specifies certain items that are prohibited from being brought into certain boundaries of the event."

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